How Aude Nasr weaves activism through her richly patterned illustrations

The French-Lebanese illustrator uses her creativity to shed light on the plights of marginalised communities.

Date
31 August 2022

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For Aude Nasr, illustration and activism come hand in hand. Working with grassroots NGO’s across the Middle East and Europe, she seeks to “give a more relevant, accurate and critical understanding of the changes operating in the region, within diasporas and among the communities she belongs to”, she explains.

Recently, Aude has worked on a number of diverse initiatives, one being Queering the Map, a project which maps queer testimonies from around the world with a particular focus on South Asia and North Africa. She also recently worked on a Vice x Gal-Dem project, which visually highlights the prevalence of abuse within the music industry. Her works, then – which are distinctive for their characterful line drawings, intricate patterns and use of deep, rich colours – shows Aude's creative eye as well as her astute political perspective. Usually, Aude begins by drawing her works by hand, before digitally colouring them. Currently, she is working towards digitalising her process further and delving into the world of animation.

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Aude Nasr: Summer breeze (Copyright © Aude Nasr, 2022)

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Aude Nasr: Sham. Inspired by Zakaria Tamer’s “Tiger’s on the Tenth Day” (Copyright © Aude Nasr, 2020)

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Aude Nasr: Underwater (Copyright © Aude Nasr, 2022)

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Aude Nasr: Gal-Dem x Vice Project (Copyright © Aude Nasr & Gal-Dem & Vice, 2022)

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Aude Nasr: Beirut Feminist March (Copyright © Aude Nasr, 2020)

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Aude Nasr: Lebanon (Copyright © Aude Nasr, 2021)

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Aude Nasr: Vanity (Copyright © Aude Nasr, 2021)

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Aude Nasr: Abolish Kafala (Copyright © Aude Nasr, 2021)

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Aude Nasr: Abolish Kafala (Copyright © Aude Nasr, 2021)

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Aude Nasr: Sisters (Copyright © Aude Nasr, 2021)

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Aude Nasr: Gal-Dem x Vice Project (Copyright © Aude Nasr & Gal-Dem & Vice, 2022)

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About the Author

Olivia Hingley

Olivia (she/her) joined the It’s Nice That team as an editorial assistant in November 2021 and soon became staff writer. A graduate of the University of Edinburgh with a degree in English literature and history, she’s particularly interested in photography, publications and type design.

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